ROME — Pope Francis said Donald Trump’s plans to impose mass deportations the number of immigrants would be “embarrassing”, as he valued the promises of the incoming US president almost a decade after he called him. “not christian” For wanting to build a wall on the US-Mexico border.
The first Latin American pope in history was asked about the Trump administration’s commitment to deportations during an appearance at a popular Italian conference, Che Tempo Che Fa, on Sunday night.
“If true, this will be a shame because poor people who have nothing are footing the bill,” Francis said. “This will not work! This is not the way to fix things. That’s not how things are solved.”
Trump, who is being sworn in on Monday, did mass deportations He has promised a signature issue of his campaign and the first day’s orders to remake immigration policy.
During his first presidential campaign, in 2016, Francis was asked about Trump’s plans to build a wall on the US-Mexico border. After celebrating mass at the border, Francis famously said that anyone who builds a wall to keep out immigrants “is not a Christian.”
Many US bishops have strongly opposed Trump’s deportation plan, and incoming Archbishop of Washington DC Cardinal Robert McElroy said those policies were. “Incompatible with Catholic doctrine.” It was a reference to the biblical call to “welcome the stranger.”
Another cardinal close to Francis, Cardinal Blasé Cupich of Chicago, said reports of mass deportations Targeting the Chicago area “Not only are they disturbing, but they are deeply wounding.”
In a statement from the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City on Sunday, Cupich said governments have a responsibility to protect borders and communities.
“But we are also committed to defending the rights of all people and protecting their human dignity,” according to the text of his statement.
Francis grew up in Argentina in a family of Italian immigrants he prioritized the situation of migrants long ago and called on governments to welcome, protect and integrate them, within their means. He said the dignity and rights of migrants outweighed any national security concerns.
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